Visual signal program system



May 16, 1950 T R. WELCH VISUAL SIGNAL PROGRAM SYSTEM Filed Sept. 3, 1946 FIG.

5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

THOMAS ROSS WELCH ATTORNEY May 16, 1950 T. R. WELCH 2,507,744

VISUAL SIGNAL PROGRAM SYSTEM Filed Sept. 5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4. C. INPUT A T TOR/V5) 40 nvmvrox.

W moms ROSS WELCH y 5, 1950 T. R. WELCH 2,507,744

VISUAL SIGNAL PROGRAM SYSTEM Filed Sept. 3, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fla. 3

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VISUAL SIGNAL PROGRAM SYSTEM Filed Sept. 3, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. /0

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INVENTOR. THOMAS ROSS WELCH BY 2 E Z Z r ATTORNEY May 16, 1950 T. R. WELCH VISUAL SIGNAL PROGRAM SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1946 FIG. /6

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FIG/7 INVENTOR. THOMAS ROSS WELCH ATTORNEY Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,507,744 VISUAL SIGNA'L PROGRAM SYSTEM Thomas Ross Welch, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 3, 1946, Serial No. 694.664

@laims.

This invention relates to electric signaling systems such as form the subject matter of my copending application for United States Letters Patent on System of visual signal communication filed of even date herewith, and particularly to a signal program panel employed in such systems.

it is one of the objects of this invention to provide, in a system of the type referred to, for an extended program of signalled information and particularly to provide a program panel improved to occupy a minimum of space.

Another object of my invention is to provide in such a'program panel for maximum facility of replacement, extension, and change of components.

Additional objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following specification considered in connection with the accompany drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is partially a wiring diagram and partially a schematic representation of a signaling system embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a symbol former;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a program panel unit;

Fig. 3a is a front view of the unit from line Sim-3a, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3b is a rear view of the unit from line Elli-3b, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the unit;

Fig. 5 is a section at line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section at line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a detail;

Fig. 7a is an end view from line Ea-7a of Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the detail of Fig. 7 as developed for a particular use;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view of a fragment of the program panel and illustrates a detail of mounting of units to form a signaling program control panel;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation as from line iii-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a detail of the unit 20;

Fig. 12 is a similar view of the inside of the plate of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of a further detail of the selector unit:

Fig. 14 is a similar view of the opposite side of the detail of F18. 13;

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of a portion of the Fig. 14 detail;

Fig. 16 is an isometric view of the sub-assembly unit of the movable contacts;

Fig. 17 is an isometric view of the bridging top plate of the selector unit; and

Fig. 18 is an isometric view of the selector orienting washer.

The signaling system will first be described in a general way with reference to Fig. l and then the signal program panel will be particularly described. The signaling apparatus comprises the visual signal transmitting assembly III which is mounted on a building or the like exposed to view of the public; a signal symbol selector panel H by which a signal program is preselected; a circuit energizing apparatus as shown in the drawing area It; symbol control cables l5; transformer primary energizing conductors 42; conductors i2a, I2b, etc., extending between apparatus l4, and the program panel l2; and'a source of alternating current I5. The program panel l2 may be mounted in the managers oillce of a theatre, and the apparatus H positioned in the control room. None of the apparatus forming program panel I2 is in motion during normal operation of the signal transmitter in and therefore produces no noise. Noise would be objectionable 1n the executive ofilce of a theatre establishment.

The apparatus I4 comprises a bridge-connected dry disc rectifier 82 connected by conductors 83 to the power source [5 through line switch H. Apparatus ll further comprises a stepping switch arm 15 operated through a pawl and ratchet mechanism by a solenoid and plunger device 81. The direct current output of rectifiler 82 is fed to arm 15' over a conductor 82a.

A contact a is, by operation of the ratcheting device, caused to contact sequentially a. plurality of stationary contacts 14a, 74b, etc. At each such contact, current flows through the corresponding conductor 52a, I2b, etc., to energize certain relays of the group of electromagnetic relays 32, Fig. 2, for each of one or more of the symbols 56. In preferred apparatus the relays 32 are mounted on the support not shown of signal transmitting assembly I Fig. l and the current is caused to how through the relay coils and to ground as at my (Fig. l), whence it flows to a grounded terminal 82b of rectifier 82. Unidirectional current flow valves 92 Figs. 3 and 4 are included in the circuits of the conductors 12a, 02b to prevent reverse ilow of current in these circuits under certain conditions of operation. The provision of the valves produces certain advantages pointed out in the copending application Serial No. 694,655, died of even date herewith by Moses Allen, and assigned to myself.

A constant-speed-motor driven time switch device 06 (Fig. 1) energizes and deenergizes the solenoid 81 periodically through solenoid circuit switch contact 86b to cause stepping of the switch arm I5. A transformer 38 applies high voltage to the letter formers I6 during the period contact 16a, engages any one of the contacts 14a, 14b, etc. Energy at low alternating current voltage is applied to the transformer primary winding 40 over a pair of conductors 42 through a periodically operated switch 66a from source I5. A condenser 86a is provided across the contacts of switch 86a to prevent damage to the contacts due to arcing.

The symbols are formed on the transmitter I by the symbol formers I6 which are illustrated in their essential details in Fig. 2.

The symbol selectors by which the particular characters produced by the character formers I6 are preselected and shown on panel I2, are illustrated in detail by Figs. 3 through 18.

In general the symbol selector assembly is formed as a unit 20 to which there is fixedly attached a stack 92, Figs. 3 and 4, of dry-disc type electrical valves of the type generally employed as alternating to direct current rectifiers. The assembly of unit 20 and stack 92 is readily removable from this control panel framefor replacement by an identical assembly without moving of any other assembly whenever elements of the assembly become defective in use.

For example, with the construction as shown, only one permanently attached wire needs to be disconnected from the assembly 20 in order to completely sever its mechanical connection with the balance of the panel, and this can be done at the front of the panel after the assembly 20 has been pulled out of its position as a component of the panel.

As assembled to form the control panel the units 20 are positioned in side by side and relatively stacked relation as shown in Fig. 9, each unit having lateral grooves 94 formed therein to receive the rails 96 carried by a suitable relatively fixed frame 98 (Fig. 10) disposed behind the face of the panel and providing stops I00 against which units 20 engage when in panel forming position. As will more fully appear, when in panel forming position, the respective vertical rows of units make up the total of the connections in the panel to common conductors 16a, 16b, etc. (Fig. 10) for the particular character former I6 to which these units relate and are connected. These connections are made by brush connectors I 02 and I04 which come into correct registration when the units 20 are fully seated against stops I00.

A. distinct set of terminals I06 permanently mounted on a portion of frame 99 are positioned for engagement by the bottom-most unit 20 of each vertical row as illustrated in Fig. 10, which sets of terminals are connected through the cables (see also Fig. 1) including the individual conductors 16a, 16b, etc., with relays I29 of sign symbol former elements I6 (Fig. 2). The symbol selector units 20 will now be generally described.

Each panel forming symbol selector unit 20 includes a group of connectors I00 (see Figs. 5 and 6) corresponding to the number of switches 00 and electromagnetic relays 02 controlling a character former I6. Each connector I00 includes an actuatable contact II 0 and a companion contact I I2 electrically permanently connected by a securing pin II4 to a conductive brush assembly comprising a brush I04 fixed in the unit body and a plunger brush I02 slidably mounted in the body in alignment with brush I04 and projected outwardly by an expansion coil spring I I6. A bronze ribbon I I8 is secured to the juxtaposed brush ends to limit outward movement of brush I02 and to provide insured electrical conductivity between the brushes I02 and I04 of the assembly.

The various connectors I06 are selectively operable so that any combination of simultaneously closed or opened switches 30 of a symbol I6 may be effected. In order to occupy a minimum of space the connectors I00 of a unit 20 are conditioned in any concurrently required combination of open and closed positions by connection combination selectors I20 which are separable from the unit and only one selector I20 is present in the unit 20 when in effective operation. The connection selector I20 (Fig. 8) is provided with a plurality of cam lobes I22 by which the actuatable contacts I I0 are actuated simultaneously and held in closed position. The selector I20 is preferably formed of a material readily worked by a hand file, such as Bakelite molded to provide a circuit combination connector selector and actuator blank 20, as illustrated in Fig. 7, having suflicient number of cam lobes I22 to actuate all of the contacts H0 in a group. By means of a suitable hand file all the cam lobes I22 desired not to operate corresponding contacts II 0. are removed. The remaining lobes I22 serve to effect closure of the contacts IIO with II2 of a unit to provide for the formation of a particular symbol or letter at the character formers I6 controlled thereby. Each selector I20 is provided with a character identification receiving area I24 having the character designation thereon so positioned that when the selector I20 is operatively applied to unit 20, it appears readable in erect position to one standing in front of the control panel. By this means, the words or characters displayed by the sign appear in their correct order at the control panel.

As shown, the selector unit 20 is generally block-shaped and formed by side plates I26 and I29 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) of insulation and secured as by screws I20 to a pair of depending lugs I22 of a bridging top plate I34, which is also of insulation.

A support I38, which is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, is provided for the connector contacts II 2 and for the brush assemblies including brushes I02 and I04. The support III is formed of insulating material and is generally a rectangular plate in appearance, having flat parallel surface faces "0a and I 36b. The face I30a is formed with a series of identical parallel channels I40 extending between a top edge I20c and a bottom edge I36d of the plate I26. The plate is further provided on its face I20b, with a horizontally coextensive and raised supporting ridge IlBe, having vertically disposed transverse grooves I46 in parallel position with the channels I40.

The contacts II2 (Figs; 5 and 14) are mounted on spring blades H3. The blades II! are positioned in the grooves I46, and the brush assemblies are fastened in channels I40 by rivets II4 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

A unit sub-assembly of the movable contacts II! (Figs. 5, 6 and 16) is provided and comprises a rectangular plate I40 of insulating material having parallel faces providing parallel vertically disposed and juxtaposed grooves Illa in both ,faces thereof, providing for the reception therein of thevlpaired spring blades IIO carrying contacts II8. Rivets I58 extend through opposed blades H and the intervening web I48b of plate I48 to secure the blades IIO to the plate near the lower edges thereof.

The lower ends of paired blades I III are welded together as at IIOa, and one blade is extended for connection to a circuit wire at 88'. The paired blades IIO are integrated at IIOa prior to assembly with plate I48 and are easily slid into the companion grooves I48a in the opposite faces of the plate. Consecutive extensions 88 are caused to project leftward and rightward to permit conductor approach from both sides of the plate I48 as shown in Figs. and 6.

Plates I28, I28 and I38 are provided with registering frame stop receiving notches I00a, and the top plate I34 is provided with a stop receiving notch I08.

A pair of spacer strips I80 (Figs. 13, 14 and 15) having grooves E82 longitudinally disposed in the faces thereof, is received against the plate I48 and ridges I31 of plates I38 to hold the lower ends of the contacts in rigid position as shown.

The top plate I34 is provided with parallel rows of passages 538 (Figs. 6 and 17) for the free movement therein of the brushes I02, and has formed integrally at the ends thereof pairs of depending lugs I34a, I341), I340 and 53402, providing seats for the securement thereto of the side plates I26 and I28. The pairs of lugs pro= vide inwardly facing surfaces 434a for the reception therebetween of the upper corner portions of plate i48. Lugs i340 and l34d together form a cylindrical bearing I34f of a diameter to journal therein the end I onselector H20. Lugs I34a and H417 together form a cylindrical bearing for the portion E135 of selector I20, and further provide an annular seat I34g at the forward side of the lugs.

A washer H39 (Fig. 18) is provided of a diam eter for rotatable mounting on seat I349. Washer I88 is provided with an arcuate notch l4I terminated by radial shoulders I43 spaced a little over ninety degrees apart. A stop I43a (Fig. l?) is secured in the lug I34a and provides stoppage for washer I38 upon rotation 90 degrees in either direction.

Washer I38 has punched centrally therethrough a connection selector passage i145 hav ing a cross-section to fit the cross-section of selector I20 as seen in Fig. 7. Correct orientation of the connection selector with the connectors is insured by providing the selector 520 with a longitudinal groove l20a in one side only thereof, and providing an aligning lug Q41 on Washer I38 so that the selector E20 cannot be inverted with respect to the connector arms H0.

The washer I39 is held in position by a face plate 20a secured to unit 20, which plate is provided with a round hole in registry with opening 345.

The connector contact arms H8 are bent outwardly from the plane of plate 8 (Figs. 5, S and '16) to provide a widened passage for the selector 520 therebetween, which is, after assembly, in registry with the axis of bearings 1134] (Fig. 11).. If the blank 1120' (Fig. 'l) were fully inserted in the unit 20 and rotated, all arms H0 would be actuated by reason of the engagements of the respective lobes l22 with all arms H0. By omitting preselected lobes 822 as in the connector selector I20, only certain connectors are actuated toclosed position.

It is necessary to insure that the selector lit be inserted only with the flat sides vertical. To this end a channel member I18 of metal is fastened to the top plate I84 with the channel walls depending so as to lie alongside of the selector when inserted. The upper wall of the channel as shown in Fig. 17, is provided with notches I13 separated by lugs I12. The notches are in registry with the uppermost lobes I22 of selector I20 when it has been fully inserted, and permit passage of the top lobes by a counterclockwise rotation of the selector. A clockwise rotation is prevented by the continuous wall I18. The selector must be fully inserted before it can be rotated because the portions I25 of the selector and channel wall prevent rotation at any other position of the selector. Notches I 381 are provided in plates I38 for clearing lugs I340, I34b, I340 and I34d in the assembly.

By Figs. 5 and 6 it is evident that a conductor channel or gutter I88 is formed by the construction previously decribed, into which the connector ends 88 extend, and into which the conductors i2a extend. A rear closure plate 28b is provided, and cut away to form a notch 20c in registry with channel I88.

A stack 9| of dry disc valves 82 (Figs. 3 and 4) of the copper oxide or selenium disc type, is secured to the plate 20b by a mounting bracket 82b, and the conductors I2a, I2b therefore extend between points on relatively fixed elements. The diameter of the stack is less than the breadth of the unit 20 so that the entire unit can be drawn to the front of the panel. The connector combination actuating selector I20 has positioned on the visible area I24 thereof a character or symbol, such as a letter or a number, corresponding with that to appear on transmitter I0. The letter A is shown in Fig. 3a to appear on its side. This position indicates the connector contacts have not been closed. When operated to close the contacts to prepare for formation of the letter A, the mark A appears erect. Accordingly. when, as illustrated in Fig. 1, all required connections have been made, the selector operators 820 show the message being effected at transrnitter 10.

When it is desired to do so, any unit 20 is pulled forward, Fig 9, or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 10. This brings out all the valves 32 as well as the unit. Only one conductor need be disconnected from each unit. Therefore, in the event of damage to connector unit or valve stack, a replacement of the entire assembly is a matter of but a few seconds work.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that only one conductor extends from each of contacts 14a, 14b, etc, to the horizontal rows I8a, Mb, etc. of connector groups in the control panel. As shown in Fig. 4, the conductor I2a is connected to one pole of each valve 82 in thetop horizontal row of symbol selector valve groups. The other pole of each in valve 92 in each selector unit, is, as previously described, connected to an individual terminal 88' (Fig. 18).

1 claim:

1. Multiple circuit connector apparatus comprising, in combination: series of pairs of contacts in rows; a generally flat actuator for insertion between the rows having cam lobes along its edges, means-for positioning the actuator for rotation to cause the lobes to engage with and '7 rality oi' receptacles; a plurality of selector switches in each receptacle; a plurality of connectors having end portions extending from opposite sides of each receptacle, the connectors extending from one side being paired with the connectors on the opposite side and at least one of each pair of connectors being movable inwardly oi the receptacle; and sprin means yieldingly urging the movable connectors outwardly: the receptacles being adapted for positioning in mounting means and when thus positioned the respective pairs of connectors of each receptacle are in contacting alignment.

3. In electrical control means: a receptacle; a plurality of switches in said receptacle; a plurality of pairs of connectors having their ends extending outwardly of the receptacle on opposite sides thereof, one of each connector in a pair being movable inwardly relative to said receptacle; and yielding means urging the movable connector in the opposite direction.

4. In a selector unit for an electrical system: a receptacle having an openin therein for reception of an elongated selector element; a disc operably receivable in said opening for rotation therein, said disc having a passage for reception of the selector element and means so that selector element can be inserted therein in but one way, and an arcuate peripheral notch having shoulders at each end thereof; means cooperable with said notch whereby said disc is limited 8 in its rotative movements; and a plurality of switches within the receptacle selectively operable by the selector element.

5. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein there is a longitudinally extending channel member within the receptacle arranged that one edge of the selector element is receivable therein, one wall of said channel member being provided with a plurality of spaced notches separated by lugs, said notches and lugs corresponding respectively to cams and spaces between said cams on the selector element.

THOMAS ROSS WELCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,041,174 Saalfeld Oct. 15, 1912 1,346,493 Hammond et a1. July 13, 1920 1,965,122 Kardorfl July 3, 1934 2,063,830 Rouse Dec. 8, 1936 2,376,846 Field et al. May 22, 1945 2,398,019 Mackenzie Apr. 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,333 Great Britain June 11, 1898 

